商务文本翻译在实践中,根据具体情况,有一定的处理方法和技巧,分别可以概括为转换、颠倒、增补、省略等。
(一)转换
根据语言类型学,汉语属分析型语言,英语属分析综合参半型语言。在语序上汉语和英语均属“主谓宾”语言,但也存在殊异性。转换是指商务文本翻译中语言的词性和表现方法的改变。由于英语和汉语的表达习惯、句子结构和词的搭配关系均有差异,在翻译中往往难以做到词性和表现方法一致。为了适应译文语言的表达习惯和语法规则,在商务文本翻译中必须运用词类和表现方法的转换技巧。
1.词性的转换
动词和名词的转换
例如:
1) We regret to inform you that the result of examination was the emergence of disagreement between the shipment and the bill of lading.
遗憾地通知你方,检查的结果是出现了装运的货物与提单不一致的情况。
2)美国与德国汽车制造商在欧洲市场竞争得异常激烈,迫使我们不得不改变投资计划。
Extremely keen competition between American and German vehicle manufacturers in the European market has compelled us to change our investment plan.
3)The “Events of Default”, as used in this Contract, shall mean the occurrence, from time to time, of any of the following circumstances.
合同中使用的“违约事项”是指发生以下情形—。
本句的“occurrence”本为名词,但在译成汉语时,转换成动词较译成“发生”更通达。
4)The establishment of a joint venture in China is subject to examination and approval by the Ministry of Commerce of PRC.
在中国境内设立合营企业,必须经中华人民共和国商务部审批。
5)Until the publication or public announcement of a patent application, staff members of the Patent Office and persons involved shall have the duty to keep the contents of the patent application confidential.
在专利申请公布或公告之前,专利局的工作人员以及有关人员对其内容负有保密义务。 6)绝对不允许合同任何一方违反合同支付条款的行为。
No violation by either party hereto of any payment clause or clauses can be tolerated.
7)卖方声明并保证,卖方将向买方交付完整、准确、有效的系统。该系统能够达到在产品说明与规格中规定的技术指标,并通过成功完成系统验收检测予以证明。
The Seller represents and warrants that it will deliver to the Buyer a complete, correct and valid system, capable of accomplishing the technical targets specified in Product Description and Specification, and proved by successful completion of the Acceptance Test of the System.
8)招揽订单时,代理商应将卖方成交条件、合同的一般条款充分通知顾客,也应该告知顾客,任何合同的订立都要由卖方确认。代理商应将其收到的订单立即转交给卖方,供卖方选择是否接受订单。
When soliciting orders, the Agent shall adequately advise customers of the general terms and conditions of the Seller’s sales note or contractual note and that any contract is subject to the confirmation of acceptance by the Seller.Agent shall immediately dispatch any order received to the Seller for its acceptance or rejection.
例如:
1)The fair price connected with the superiority of varieties of our products will be able to guarantee our competitive edge in the international market.
我方各种各样的产品价格公平,品质优良,能够确保在国际市场的竞争优势。
2)We find difficulty in raising a great number of funds when the government executes the tight money policy.
当政府实行紧缩银根政策时,我们觉得难以筹集大量资金。
3)The rights conferred upon the respective parties by the provisions of this Clause are additional to and do not prejudice any other rights the respective parties may have.
本条款的规定赋予各方权利,是对各方可能享有的其他权利的补充,而不是损害。
4)The supplier shall ensure that it is the lawful owner of the technology to be proved and that the technology provided is complete, accurate, effective and capable of attaining the technical targets specified in the contract.
供方应保证自己是所提供的技术的合法拥有者,并且保证所提供的技术具有完整性、准确性、有效性,能够达到合同规定目标。
副词和形容词转换
例如:
1)如合同一方实质性违反本合同或其项下的陈述与保证,另一方可终止合同,并向违约方提出索赔。
If either party commits any material breach of this Contract or its representations and warranties, the other party may terminate this Contract and file a claim against the breaching party.
2)甲方必须真实、完整地向律师叙述案情、提供证据。在接受委托后,如发现甲方捏造事实、弄虚作假,乙方有权终止代理,依本合同所收费用不予退还。
The statement made and proofs provided by Party A shall be true and complete.Where Party A is founded fabricating fact, Party B is free to terminate this Agreement and retain payment already collected from Party A according to this Agreement.
3)Either party shall provide the same care to prevent the other Party’s Confidential Information from disclosure or unauthorized use thereof as it provides to protect its own similar proprietary information.
合同各方应如同保护自己的类似专有信息一样,谨慎行事,以防披露或擅自使用另一方的机密信息。
“proprietary”,意为“专有的,独占的”(privately owned or controlled;proprietary technology);“proprietor”,指“所有人、业主、专利权人”(a owner of a business, an invention, etc.)。
4)The China National Offshore Oil Corporation shall have exclusive and overall responsibility for the work of exploiting offshore petroleum resources in the PRC in cooperation with foreign enterprises.
中华人民共和国对外合作开采海洋石油资源的业务,专门由中国海洋石油总公司全面负责。
5)甲方在此不可撤销地委托乙方,甲方签署货物交接单据后,立即将货物价款直接支付到供货商的账户。
Party A hereby irrevocably authorizes Party B to make a direct payment for the Goods into the account of the supplier immediately after Party A signs the Delivery Note.
介词转化为动词
例如:
Preference shareholders are entitled to a priority in the assets if the company is wound up.
如果公司被解散,优先股东有优先分得公司资产的权利。
2.词义转换
在正常的情况下,并在将原文翻译成译文时,译者只需按照原文中各个词的词典含义就能准确而地道地把原文翻译成译文。然而,在一些特殊情况下,尽管按照词典含义意思对等地翻译,但在母语者看来,这种译文总会让人觉得别扭,词的表达总是很不妥当。这时,译者就必须按照译文的表达习惯,改变词典含义,用地道的译文用词来表达原文作者的真正含义,这就是词义转换。例如:
1)Each Party shall have the right to change its legal or authorized representative and shall promptly notify the other Party of such change and the name, position and nationality of its new legal or authorized representative.
双方有权撤换其各自的法定代表人或授权代表,并应将新法定代表人或授权代表的姓名、职位和国籍及时通知另一方。
在原文中的“change”的原意为“变化”,但为了符合中文的表达习惯,将它翻译成“撤换”。
2)The Company may establish branch offices inside China and overseas with the consent of the Board and approval from the relevant governmental authorities.
合营公司经董事会决议并经有关政府机关批准可在国内外成立分支机构。
原文中“consent”的愿意为“同意”,但为了中文商务语言的表达习惯,在译文中将其翻译为“决议”。
3)The purpose of the joint venture shall be to utilize the combined technological, management, operational and marketing strengths of the Parties within the approved scope of business of the Company to achieve good economic results and a return on investment satisfactory to the Parties.
合营公司的宗旨是结合双方在技术、管理、运营以及营销方面的优势,在合营公司经批准的经营范围内开展业务,以取得良好的经济效益以及令双方满意的投资回报。
原文中的“strength”的愿意为“实力,力量”,但在译文中,为了符合中文表达习惯的需要,它被改翻译为“优势”。
3.句型的转换
肯定句和否定句的转换
由于英语和汉语表达思想、遣词造句的方式和所用的形象均不相同,因此,我们在翻译时应按照习惯用法决定是否改变表现方法。最为常用的方式是将英语中某些肯定和否定形式的句子在英译汉时作句式转换处理。例如:
1)They were very few, fewer than at the last meeting of the board of directors.The chairman didn’t say much at the meeting, but every word was to the point.
他们没有几个人到会,比董事会上次到会的人还要少。董事长在会上说话不多,但每句话都很中肯。
2)It is not rarely that they collect the feedback information of their products directly from the market from all angles.
他们常常从各种角度收集市场直接反馈的产品信息。
4.语态的转换
英语惯用被动语态,而汉语则多用主动语态。因此,英译汉时宜按照汉语的表达习惯作改组,这样的改组常见于那些以人的动作和活动为主语、而动作的执行者已表明或暗示的句子里。例如:
1)Everything possible has been done to save their enterprise and to carry on the entire reform of their management and control.
他们已采取了一切可能的措施,以便挽救他们的企业,并对他们的经营管理进行彻底的改革。
2)Confidential Information must be kept by the receiving Party in a secure place with access only to both Parties, employees or agents.
机密信息的接受方必须将其存放在安全地方,仅限合同双方雇员、代理人知晓。
3)This Contract shall be signed in four(4)counterparts and all such counterparts shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
本合同签署本一式四份,视为共同构成同一份文件。
4)如果一方因不可抗力而无法履行其合同义务,该义务的履行时间应延长,延长的时间应当与该不可抗力事件导致的延误时间相等。
Where one Party is prevented from performing any of its contractual obligations due to an event of force majeure, the time for performing such obligations shall be extended by a period equal to the period of delay caused by such event of force majeure.
5)三名仲裁员应在收到中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会仲裁员名册后30天内,按照其仲裁规则规定的程序选定。
The three arbitrators shall be selected within thirty(30)days after receiving the arbitrators list delivered by CIETAC pursuant to procedures prescribed by CIETAC’s arbitration rules.
6)All proceeds of realization of the security right hereby shall be applied in payment of all costs, charges, expenses incurred by the Pledgee in respect of the exercise of any rights hereunder or in preserving the validity of the Pledge.
所有因担保权利实现获得的收入应用于支付质押人为实施本合同权利或保持质押有效性而承担的所有费用、收费和开支。
7)由于一方违约,使本合同不能履行或不能完全履行时,违约一方应承担违约责任;如属于双方违约,则根据实际情况,由双方分别承担各自的违约责任。
Where this Contract or any Party of this Contract can not be performed as a result of any Party’s default, the Party in breach shall bear the liability; in case of both Parties’ default, each Party shall take its liability respectively according to actual situations.
(二)增补
增补也是商务文本翻译中不可忽视的重要技巧之一。所谓增补,“就是要根据上下文的意思、逻辑关系以及目的语的表达习惯,增加词量,以表达原文字面没有出现但已经包含的意思”。增补主要是因为英汉两种语言在遣词造句以及思维方法上的不同特点造成的。法律语言的表述,失之毫厘,谬以千里。某些商务英语的表述虽然简单,但丝毫不会影响其内容的准确性。因此,在翻译成汉语时,为避免引起误解,就需要根据汉语的习惯和语法规则对这些词或句子予以重述。
1.增加实义词汇
鉴于商务语言的严谨性和规范性特点,在商务英语英译汉过程中需要适当添加一定的词汇,以限定范围,提高表述的准确性。例如:
1)This Agreement is made by and between ______ Company having its registered office in ______(place)and ______ Company, address of which is ______(house number, street, city).
本协议由____公司(注册营业地在)和____公司(法定地址是____市____街____号)之间达成。
地址有多处,在通常的法律语言环境下,“address”即表示“法定地址”,因此翻译成汉语时,需在“地址”前增加“法定”一词。
2)The proposal indicates the offeror to be bound by the proposal thereof in case of acceptance.
该提议表示经受盘人承诺,发盘人即受该提议约束。
增加“受盘人”,表示不能是任何第三人的承诺,这是由合同权利义务的相对性决定的。
3)The contract looks upon party A as having rights and duties thereof.
该合同视甲方为享有合同权利和承(负)担合同义务的主体。
“享有”和“承(负)担”虽然意思相反,但在商务英语中都可用“have”一词表达,而汉语找不到一个能够准确表达双重含义的对等词,所以应当用两个汉语动词分别表达。
商务英语使用被动结构的语序,而中国人惯用主动句,下面是因语序变化而需要加词的情况。
4)IN WITNESS whereof the Carrier or his Agents has signed the above stated number of Bills of Lading, all of this tenor and date, one of which being accomplished the others to stand void.
证明以上各项,承运人或其代理人已签署各份内容和日期一样的上述正本提单,其中一份如已完成提货手续,则其余各份均告失效。
2.增补连词
汉语偏正复句,很多时候不出现连词,如果原文中有表示“时间”“假设”“条件”“让步”“目的”“原因”等关系的“偏句”,可以用相应的英语连词连接表示上述各种关系的从句。立法语言中最为典型的是以“的”结构的假设句,汉译英时必须添加显示主句和从句逻辑关系的连接词。例如:
1)合同对科技成果的使用权没有约定的,当事人都有使用的权利。(《民法》第88条)
If the contract does not contain an agreed term regarding rights to the use of scientific and technological research achievements, the parties shall all have the right to use such achievements.
2)同一诉讼的几个被告住所地、经常居住地在两个以上人民法院辖区的,各该人民法院都有管辖权。(《民事诉讼法》第22条)
Where the domiciles or habitual residences of several defendants in the same lawsuit are in the areas under the jurisdiction of two or more People’s Courts, all of those People’s Courts shall have jurisdiction over the lawsuit.
上述两例原文都是属于以“的”收尾的假设句,汉译英时,形式上缺失的关联词,需要根据对汉语原句的理解,在英语译文中予以增补,使用If和Where引导的从句来表示假设,从句子形式上清楚地表明英语句子中主从句的逻辑关系。
3.增补同义词
英语有一词多义的特点,同一个词可以同时与若干个词进行搭配,修饰它们或被它们修饰,语言仍自然流畅,如下文中的“decrease”和“negotiations”,因此,翻译多义词时就应该将其多义性表述清楚。例如:
1)The innovation of products is one of the reform measures of the state-owned enterprises because it can decrease loss, cost and budget.
产品的革新是国企改革措施之一,因为它可以减少损失,降低成本和递减预算。
2)Both the buyer and the seller are busy at negotiations of business, contract and draft.
买卖双方正忙于交易磋商,合约谈判和汇票议付。
4.增补句子成分
增补主语
英语和汉语主语均是句子的主体,但按照汉语的表达习惯和文体特征,省略主语的情况较多,而英语句中的主语则通常不能省略。因此,在汉译英时运用增补技巧,可以补充汉语句中省略的主语。例如:(www.daowen.com)
1)如蒙尽快惠告美国电脑详细的情况,不胜感激。
We should be grateful if you would give us further details of American computers at the earliest time.
原文中,收信人是卖方,询问电脑情况的人是买方,译文中增补“我方”和“你方”,不仅使英语的句子结构完整,而且表明了买方和卖方的关系。
增补宾语
汉语和英语的及物动词后面都有宾语,表示动作的对象,动作关系涉及人或事物。在某些情况或一定的上下文的条件下,汉语句子中的宾语可省略,而英语及物动词在任何情况下都须带宾语。运用增补技巧,以补充汉语中省略的宾语。例如:
2)我们觉得在这个时候延长信用证有效期和更改卸货港口是不恰当的。
We don’ t think it proper to extend the validity of L/C and amend the discharging port at this time.
译文中增补宾语“it”,代表复合结构中的“不定式”,使英语句子结构完整无缺。如果不采用增补技巧,上述两个英语句子均不能成立。
(三)省略
省略就是把原文中的某些冗余成分略去不译,或去掉不符合译文表达习惯的无用之词,以保证译文内容准确、文字简洁、结构规范。
1.省略表示重复、多余概念的词汇,例如:
1)Within(...)days after the effective date of this contract, the Owner shall pay the Contractor as full and complete compensation for accomplishing the Works and assuming all obligations under this contract the contract price in the amount of ____________.
在本合同生效后××天内,业主应向承包商支付金额____________为合同价格,作为承包商完成该工程并承担本合同规定的所有义务的全部报酬。
“full and complete”如直译为“全部和所有的”。而在汉语中,这两个概念几乎没有区别,因此译文用其中一词即可。
2)影响市场对商品需求的变化情况有内因和外因两方面的因素。
The changes of requirement for the commodities in the market are affected by the internal and external factors.
上述汉语句中的范畴词“情况、方面”可使前面的抽象名词更加具体、明确,符合汉语的修辞需要。但译成英语后不省略这些范畴词,译文便显得累赘,概念模糊。
3)If any guarantee is required as security for any external financing of the Company approved by the Board in accordance with Article 8.2(c)(v), and if the Parties agree to provide guarantees in relation to such financing, the Parties shall severally guarantee the obligations of the Company under such external financing in proportion to their respective interests in the registered capital of the Company at such time as the guarantee is given(unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties).
如果合营公司董事会依照第8.2(c)(v)条批准的外部融资需要以保证形式提供担保,并且双方同意对该融资提供保证,则(除非双方另有书面协议)双方应按当时在合营公司注册资本中所占份额的比例分别对合营公司的义务提供保证。
在原文中,“such time as the guarantee is given”本来是个定语从句,但在对其进行翻译时,根据上下文意思和逻辑关系就直接把它翻译成了“当时”。尽管作者省略了一个从句,但并没有改变原文的意思。在经过这样的省词后,译文反而更加通顺,更加符合中文的表达习惯。
4)The growth of capitalism and the competition for domestic and international business have led to a never-ending stream of new business instruments and techniques and sophisticated markets, each with its own communication system, its trading rules and its procedures for clearance and settlement.
随着资本主义的发展以及国内、国际业务竞争的加剧,新的交易手段和商业技术层出不穷,市场变得更加专业化、更加成熟,每种市场都拥有自己的通信系统、自己的贸易规则和自己的清算结算程序。
原文中有“has led to”这个动词,但在译文中译者省略了它的中文对应词。译者这样省略的目的是为了使译文更加通顺,更加符合中文的表达习惯。尽管译者这样省略,其译文并没有改变原文的意思。
2.省略修饰词,例如:
By a loan agreement dated ______ made between ______ Co.(Borrower)and ______ Co.(Lender), the Lender has agreed to make available to the Borrower a loan facility of up to $______.
根据_______年______公司(借款方)和______公司(贷款方)签署的贷款协议,贷款方同意向借款方提供______美元的贷款。
“up to”在句中表示“直到,多达”之意,为使译文更加精炼,翻译成汉语时可以省略。
3.省略连接词,例如:
The parties must act in accordance with the principle of good faith, no matter in exercising rights or in performing obligations.
当事人行使权利、履行义务应当遵循诚实信用原则。
原文中的“or”在翻译成汉语时用顿号代替,可以达到简练的目的。
4.省略介词,例如:
The contract is made by and between the Buyer,_______ Co.and the Seller,________ Co.
本合同是由买方_______公司和卖方_______公司之间签订的。
“between”在这句话中用来限定范围,以表明合同是在特定的买卖双方之间签订的,但在译文中,其意思已经由于汉语内在的逻辑关系而得到明确体现,因此可以不译。
5.省略here,there,where+介词或副词的表达,例如:
商务英语当中有一套惯用的副词。严格地说,这类副词并不是商务术语,但从修辞和文体的角度来看,这类词的广泛使用既可使句子简练严密,又使句子严肃庄重,具有商务文体的风格。因而商务条文和著作中大量运用,在翻译成汉语时有时可以省略不译。例如:
In accordance with the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-foreign Equity Joint Venture” and other relevant PRC laws and regulations, party A and party B hereby agree to set up a joint venture limited liability company.
根据《中华人民共和国中外合资经营企业法》和其他相关的法律法规,甲方和乙方同意共同组建合资经营有限责任公司。
句中的“hereby”即“under the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-foreign Equity Joint Venture and other relevant PRC laws and regulations”,可理解为“据此”。而汉语表达的连贯性已经使得译文忠实地再述了原文的含义,所以“hereby”可省略不译。
6.省略时态词,例如:
Where the seller sells the subject matter which has been delivered to a carrier fortransportation and is in transit, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the risk of damage or loss is borne by the buyer as from the time of formation of the contract.
卖方出售交由承运人运输的在途标的物,除当事人另有约定的以外,毁损、灭失的风险自合同成立时起由买方承担。
英语时态区分细微、习惯性强,动作的进行过程通过固定的丰富的语法手段描绘得非常精确,相比之下,汉语的时态有时则可模糊表达,在保持句意流畅的同时也忠实地反映了原文的意思。
(四)拆分
商务英语长句较多,按直译产生的汉译句子较长,结构松散,内容杂乱,眉目不清。如果采用拆句技巧译出,情形就不一样,例如:
1)In order to facilitate business in consideration of the present monetary stringency, the corporation, on behalf of which I am studying this proposition, is willing to base transaction on trade by barter and would import any articles, which you would ship to the United States.
直译:为便于交易,考虑到最近银根很紧,本人正在研究这笔交易所代表的公司希望以易货贸易为基础进行交易,并进口你方能运到美国的任何商品。
拆分译:最近银根很紧,为谋求达成交易,本人代表公司正在研究如何做成这笔交易。我们希望以易货贸易为基础,进口你方能运到美国的任何商品。
把原文拆开译成两个汉语句,并将并列连词“and”前面的短语“以易货贸易为基础”调整到第二个汉语句中,译文准确流畅,搭配恰当。原文的最后部分是一个结论性分句,拆成两个句子后,译文的层次分明、概念清楚。
下面是拆开短语翻译的一个例子:
2)Finally, more as a last hope than with any real confidence in a result, a temporary arbitration organization was formed to try to reconcile the disputes and differences between the employer and the contractors.
直译:最后,作为对其结果并无真正信心,只是抱有一点希望,成立了一个临时仲裁机构,试图调解业主和承包商之间的争论和分歧。
拆分译:最后,成立了一个临时仲裁机构,试图调解业主与承包商之间的争论和分歧。这是最后一点希望,其实大家对其结果并无真正信心。
英语将短语放在前面有强调的意味,但直译出来的汉语逻辑性不强,概念不清,容易产生歧义。把短语拆开作为补充,译文的主句更加突出,主题思想一目了然。
下面是拆开从句翻译的一个例子:
3)They seemed to enjoy those cooperative projects in the economic development zone which they had obtained by a course of innumerable trials and tribulations, and by victories which almost exceeded belief.
直译:他们对经济开发区历尽千辛万苦,通过取得令人难以置信的胜利得来的那些合作项目看来是很得意的。
拆分译:他们对经济开发区的合作项目看来是很得意的,那些合作项目是他们历尽千辛万苦,通过取得令人难以置信的胜利得来的。
英语句中第一个关系代词which引出的非限制性定语从句可以拆开来单独成句,作为补充说明,使译文更加流畅,逻辑性强。否则,汉语的修饰语太多,拉得很长,读起来不顺畅,不紧凑。可见,重形合、表意完全依赖形式完整的规范英语直译成汉语后就不符合重神似、形式上自由度较高的汉语习惯。
有“分”就有“合”,合译是指把原文两个或两个以上的单句或复合句在译文中用一个单句或复句来表达。例如:
We hope this will go smoothly and you are able to conclude the contract soon.
希望一切顺利,并速签合同。
(五)调整
由于译文语序和原文语序并不完全一致,所以在将原文翻译成译文时,必须调整一些语序,以使译文符合译文语言的表达习惯。在调整语序时,有时必须把在原文中后面表达的词放在译文中前面表达,有时要把原文中前面表达的词放在译文中后面表达。例如:
1)The Parties hereby agree to establish the Company promptly after the Effective Date in accordance with the EJV Law, the EJV Implementing Regulations, other Applicable Laws, and the provisions of this Contract.
双方特此同意在本合同生效后依照合资企业法、合资企业法实施条例、其他相关法律以及本合同的条款及时成立合营公司。
尽管原文中“in accordance with the EJV Law, the EJV Implementing Regulations, other Applicable Laws, and the provisions of this Contract.”等词作为状语被放在后面,但在译文中按照中文的习惯被放在了谓语的前面。例如:
2)Neither Party shall have any liability to the Company except to the extent of its agreed capital contributions.The Company shall be liable to its creditors to the extent of its assets.
任何一方仅以其出资额为限对合营公司承担责任。合营公司应以其资产对其债权人承担责任。
原文中的“except to the extent of its agreed capital contributions”和“to the extent of its assets”在句子后面,但在译文中,它们的对应中文翻译却在句子中间。
语言是因使用语言的民族习惯成定式的,就句子的基本结构而言,汉语和英语的语序排列大体上一致,都是“主语—谓语—宾语”,两者的差异主要在于定语和状语的位置。
1.定语位置的调整
汉语的定语总是在其所修饰的名词前面,而英语的定语则有前置和后置两个不同的位置。由于后置定语的容量比较大,翻译立法语言时,定语成分一般都置于所限制或修饰的名词后面。例如:
对承担民事责任的公民、法人需要追究行政责任的,应当追究行政责任。
Citizens or legal persons who bear civil liability shall also be held for administrative responsibility if necessary.
此句中“对承担民事责任的”是定语修饰主语“公民、法人”。英译时,把who引导的定语从句放在了主语citizens or legal persons的后面,进行了后置。
2.状语位置的调整
汉语的状语通常放在主语之后、谓语之前,而英语的状语的位置灵活多变,可以出现在句首、句末,也可以放在被修饰语的前面或后面。为了使语义清楚、不产生歧义,状语位置的选择在立法语言的译文中往往更注重内在的逻辑关系。
单位犯前款罪的,对单位判处罚金,并对其直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员,依照前款的规定处罚。(《刑法》第319条)
Where a unit commits the crime mentioned in the preceding paragraph, it shall be fined, and the persons who are directly in charge and the other persons who are directly responsible for the offence shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
按照汉语的习惯,不论状语的长与短,尤其是以“按照/依照/根据”引起的状语,总是放在主语与谓语之间。而在英语里,像这样的状语通常位于句末。此句中的“依照前款的规定”英译时作了后置处理。
3.颠倒是指语言顺序的调整。
复合句的颠倒,例如:
1)Don’ t neglect the quality of these electronic products because we have received many domestic and foreign orders.
不要因为我们已经收到很多国内外订单就忽视这些电子产品的质量。
2)The site investigation and careful research are the first step that Mr.John needs to adopt in his investment of infrastructure projects.
约翰先生在对基础设施项目投资时,现场考察和仔细研究是他需要采取的第一个步骤。
翻译例1)原文时颠倒主从句,使译文清晰顺畅,因果关系明确。例2)译文中也运用了主从句颠倒技巧,符合汉语的句法要求和表达习惯。
用否定型副词或条件副词开头的句子的颠倒,例如:
3)Not even the economic powerful nations, such as America and Japan, escaped from the heavy strike caused by the world economic crisis.
就连美国和日本这样的经济强国也未逃脱那次世界经济危机导致的沉重打击。
4)Never before has he seen such a multinational corporation which has huge scale and tremendous strength.
他从未见过规模如此庞大,实力如此雄厚的跨国公司。
英语句子里使用这些副词的目的是加强语气。在英译汉中,改变句子结构时应把主语提前,用一些恰当的词语来强调。以上二则译文,可使汉语句子生动流畅,充分表达了原文的本意。英语句为被动语态,翻译时也可将其改为主动语态。常用的这类副词还有hardly,scarcely,no,only,no longer,not until,in no way等,在英译汉时也要注意句子的颠倒。
带有介词短语的句子的颠倒,例如:
5)Johnson was first introduced to the trading partners at a trade fair in the town of Bury by his friend Mr.Leach who had been engaged in international trade for twenty years.
在伯里镇的一次商品交易会上,约翰逊是由朋友利奇先生首次介绍给贸易伙伴的,利奇先生当时已从事国际贸易20年了。
这是一个建立贸易关系时常用的英语句子,句中有7个介词短语,另外还有一个定语从句。翻译时按照汉语表达习惯颠倒词序,采用颠倒技巧翻译过来的译文通顺畅达而又不失原作的思想和风格。
(六)断句
在商务文本汉英翻译中,在正确理解原文之后,要用符合英语行文规范的语言将意义表达出来。为了做到忠实准确和通顺流畅,关键要将汉语原文进行适当的断句,断句技巧对于长句难句尤其重要。
恰当断句要求首先保证原文含义的完整和上下文的连贯。因为断句决定了成文后的英语句子或篇章的重心,因此,我们必须认真处理。例如:
丝绸,从古至今被誉为纤维皇后,她高贵典雅、雍容华贵,是纺织品中的佼佼者。
这是汉语中典型的“流水句”,我们所讲的断句就是分析它的结构把它截断成为适合译成英语的句型。就本句而言,考虑到英文的行文规范和修辞手法,我们可做如下断句处理。
高贵,典雅,丝绸一直被誉为纺织品中的皇后。
断句后的文本将表示相同意义的“佼佼者”和“皇后”合并了,更加简洁。另外,汉语中商品的宣传常将形容词铺陈使用,以达到夸张渲染的目的。但是英语中更注重平实。所以,把“雍容华贵”也进行了压缩删减。现试译如下:
Noble and elegant, silk has always been the Queen of all textile fibers.
请再看一例:
①为贯彻全国外经贸工作会议精神,②调动一切积极因素,③克服亚洲金融危机对外经贸工作的不利影响,④全力扩大出口,⑤适当增加进口,⑥努力推动我市外贸进出口的稳步发展,⑦特制订如下九条鼓励出口的措施。
这是一个非常复杂的句子,为了便于说明,我们对每个小句进行了编号处理。经过分析,不难发现,⑦是全段的主题句,处于中心地位。①是拟采取行动的理论依据,②是行动的方法,③是行动的目的,④⑤是为此目的而提出的方法,⑥是对④⑤的内容概括。因此我们可以对该段的行文层次进行重新组织,试改写如下:
我们制订如下九条措施。其目的一是要贯彻全国外经贸会议的精神,二是要调动一切积极因素以全力扩大出口,适当增加进口。这些行动旨在推动我市外贸进出口,借以克服亚洲金融危机对外经贸工作的不利影响。
断句重组后的改写版本有利于我们理解原文,理清翻译思路。考虑到公文用语的特点,现翻译如下:
In line with the guidance of the recent National Conference on Foreign Trade, the following incentive measures are hereby formulated and proclaimed in our efforts to mobilize all positive factors to overcome the negative impact of the Asian financial crisis on China’s foreign trade, striving for a reasonable growth in import while maintaining an all-out drive to increase export in this city.
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